title: Aluminium and nutrients induce changes in the profiles of phenolic substances in tea plants (Camellia sinensis CV TTES, No. 12 (TTE)).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tea plants are always cultivated in acid soils in hilly regions and their growth can be dependent on to soluble aluminium (Al). The mechanism of Al detoxification and the influence of Al on phenolic compounds (i.e. catechin) in the roots of tea plants has remained obscure. This study aimed to investigate the influence of Al changes on the concentrations of phenolic substances in tea plants through hydroponic experiments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tea plants were cultivated in nutrient solution containing 1.5 and 2.5 mmol L(-1) Al, and these treatments enhanced the growth of new buds and roots. Aluminium stimulated the uptake of Ca, Mg, K and Mn, whereas the uptake of Fe, Cu and Zn was retarded. Moreover, total phenol concentrations in tea plant tissues increased with increasing Al concentrations. In general, catechin concentrations in leaves increased with increasing Al concentrations in the hydroponic experiments. High correlation coefficients were obtained between Al and (-)-ECG (r(2) = 0.85, P < 0.01) and between Al and total phenols (r(2) = 0.92, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Al concentration in tea plants indeed increases catechin concentrations and plays an important role in the growth of tea plants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yue Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tsung Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Cheng Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kuo Chuan
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ming Kuang
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D018527:Hydroponics / Q000379:methods*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D059808:Polyphenols; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D014131:Trace Elements; D002392:Catechin; D000535:Aluminum